PMQT Written Answers – 3 November 1993

Below is the text of the written answers relating to Prime Minister’s Question Time from 3rd November 1993.

PRIME MINISTER:

Joint Intelligence Committee

Mr. Cousins : To ask the Prime Minister if he will outline the functional and departmental composition and internal procedures of the Joint Intelligence Committee.

The Prime Minister : I refer the hon. Gentleman to the booklet on the central intelligence machinery published by HMSO on 1 October.

Mr. Cousins : To ask the Prime Minister to which Ministers the Joint Intelligence Committee reports; and which Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for guiding its decisions.

The Prime Minister : I am ultimately responsible for the Joint Intelligence Committee. The committee is not a decision-making body. Its assessments are seen by other Ministers according to the subject matter.

Libel Actions

Mr. Alan Williams : To ask the Prime Minister what legal costs have been met from the public purse relating to libel actions involving Government Ministers in the last three years; and how many cases are still in progress.

The Prime Minister [holding answer 1 November 1993] : No legal costs payable by the public purse have been incurred on libel proceedings involving Government Ministers during the last three years.